January 13, 2008 / Volume 12, Issue 2
The Necessity Of Attendance
Attendance is one of those awkward topics to preach on. It is not that the Bible is unclear, nor that it is a difficult topic to speak on, but often, those who are needing to hear such a lesson are not in attendance. Let us consider today some things with regard to the need for attendance.
WHY DO WE ASSEMBLE?
There are several reasons which we might list as our purpose in assembling. The most basic and crucial purpose is to worship God. Jesus taught that God is seeking people who will worship "in spirit and truth." (John 4:24). Consider the desire of David to be where God's people are worshiping:
"My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God... For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." (Psalm 84:2, 10)
The Scriptures command us to remember the Lord Jesus through the memorial which He instituted (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). This is done when the saints are assembled together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). If we are not assembled on the Lord's day, we cannot fulfill this command of Christ.
| Also, we have a responsibility to encourage our brethren (Ephesians 4:11-16). The Hebrew writer says that we should "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). If we are not as the assembly of the saints, we CANNOT stir our brethren up to love and good works, but rather become a source of discouragement to them. | The story has been told of a gospel meeting which C.R. Nichol held, where the attendance was very poor on the first night. In response, Nichol stayed away the second evening. When asked where he was, he simply replied, "If some can stay home, I can stay home." This was spread around, and the attendance through the remainder of the meeting was much increased. |
WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT ASSEMBLING?
In our modern day, most congregations of the Lord's people assemble perhaps 3 or 4 hours each week. Usually, 2 or 3 assembly occasions on Sunday, and a midweek study, amounting to approximately 2% of our week. How sad that some fail to approach these times with zealous determination, and seemingly do not consider their presence to be essential.
As we look at the first century church, consider that they met daily. Of those who obeyed the gospel on the day of Pentecost, we are told, "...they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ...continuing daily with one accord in the temple..." (Act 2:42, 46). This pattern of assembling daily continues through the description of the early church (Acts 5:42; 17:11; 19:9).
Why assemble so often? The disciples took seriously their commitment to the Lord. They sought to encourage each other in the faith. They understood the importance of learning what God expected of them, so that they might live faithful. They were aware of the danger of falling, even as we have been warned, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:12-13)
WHAT IF WE FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLY?
There may be valid reasons for not being at the assembly of the saints. Sometimes severe illness, treacherous weather, or unforeseen emergencies will prohibit our ability to be with God's people. However, we need to be of a mind to make every effort to assemble.
Some excuse themselves from the assembly with a number of "reasons". Let us consider these for just a moment: | And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins...
(Hebrews 10:24-26) |
"I'm not feeling well" – It is completely understood that some live with regular pain and illness. It is equally acknowledged that afflictions can be so acute that it affects one's ability to function. However, if an individual is able to consistently go to work, shop, go out for meals, or function in other capacities, the same should be more than capable of being with the saints at appointed times.
"I'm discouraged" – We all encounter things in life that will be a discouragement to us. Satan, our enemy seeks to discourage us. But how will not being with God's people be helpful in conquering discouragement? Part of the purpose for assembling is to encourage others and be encouraged ourselves. If we stay away because we are discouraged, the end result is that we remain discouraged and we have also discouraged all our brethren.
"I'm traveling" – Vacations are nice. Though we may take a break from our regular weekly schedule, the assembly of the saints is different. Is it right to take a break from serving the Lord? When we are going to be out of town, we ought to prepare beforehand, finding a congregation of God's people whom we can worship with.
"I was there Sunday" – Good for you! Is that a reason to not be there at the midweek study? Do you eat once a week? Ought we view our assembling with God's people as having an acceptable minimum or quota? We should endeavour to be with God's people at every occasion possible.
Friend, if all Christians took seriously the responsibility of assembly, we would see a great difference in the spiritual maturity among our members. So long as individuals do not give the attention necessary to faithful assembly, they will fail to be what God would have them to be, and place their soul in eternal jeopardy.
Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Was Joseph the father of Jesus? Some texts inicate yes (Acts 2:30; 13:23; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 2:16; Revelation 22:16), but other texts indicate no (Matthew 1:18; 22:45; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 1:31-35). Is there a contraiction?
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